Buddhist monk in critical condition after setting himself on fire in anti-president rally

Posted : 2017-01-08 01:10

Updated : 2017-01-08 17:56

By Park Si-soo

A Buddhist monk set himself on fire in an anti-president protest in downtown Seoul on Saturday night, leaving a hand-written memo calling for stern punishment against President Park Geun-hye for the ongoing political scandal.

Ven. Jungwon, 64, was taken to Seoul National University Hospital, where he is now in critical condition, according to his aides.

"He is in critical condition and remains unconscious," said Kwon Young-gook, a lawyer representing an anti-Park civic group "His organs including heart, lung, kidneys and liver are not functioning normally."

The hospital said the monk suffered severe third-degree burns to nearly 70 percent of his body.

Police said the incident took place at around 10:30 p.m. near Gwanghwamun Square. An investigation is under way.

Police found a memo at the scene, in which the monk claimed President Park should be punished for causing a "rebellion." He also called for a Seoul-Tokyo agreement signed in 2015 to resolve the "comfort women" issue to be nullified